Lyra’s POV
The dormitory felt strangely hollow after Elin left.
The chamberlain closed the door behind him, and silence settled over the room like a heavy blanket. No one seemed willing to speak now that the loudest voice among us had disappeared.
I found myself staring at the closed door, my heart thudding violently against my chest.
The chamberlain’s words replayed in my head again and again.
“Your actions determine your survival.”
I wrapped my fingers around my mother’s necklace beneath my dress.
Please… I thought silently. Just let me survive today.
Beside me, Maren shifted uneasily.
“Do you think she’s afraid?” She whispered.
“Elin?” I asked, turning to look at her as she nodded.
I thought about the confidence she wore like another piece of jewelry. The certainty
